Nickel Creek

(Above [L-R]: Sara Watkins, Mark Schatz and Chris Thile. Photo by Katie Vesser)
Why Should the Fire Die?—it’s the title of the new Nickel Creek album, and the question that kept running through my mind after hearing it. I feared I’d still be asking myself after tonight’s performance. The acoustic trio has finally graduated from the smaller venues it’s played in the past, and is about to hit the stage at Atlanta’s legendary Fox Theatre. Will they still pull out lengthy, determined jams and classics from the previous two records, tracks like “The Fox” and “The Smoothie Song”? These songs helped Nickel Creek establish a unique niche in the Americana community, though I’m afraid they’ll be absent from tonight’s performance. But Nickel Creek hasn’t disappointed me yet, so I’m overwhelmingly curious as to how this show—their biggest headlining gig ever—will play out.
As the band—with touring bassist Mark Schatz in tow—strolls onstage and breaks into new single, “When in Rome,” the stadium-rock lights kick in. Four enormous structures stand behind the group, who are spread out across the enormous stage, immediately distracting from a major part of Nickel Creek’s appeal—being able to see the amazing musicians attack their instruments. But they soon settle into a groove, as does the audience, who slowly warms up to the set.